SNOTEL snowpack and peak conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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Ecocrazy
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SNOTEL snowpack and peak conditions

Post by Ecocrazy »

Hi all, the graph below is statewide snowpack remaining. I'm wondering how to think about high peak conditions as a function of that line. Obviously aspects and other things matter, but in broad strokes is when that line hits zero about when summer conditions predominate? E.g. mid-late June last year, early-mid July in 2019?

here's the link for current and basin specific updates: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nr ... 4p2_063323
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Scott P
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Re: SNOTEL snowpack and peak conditions

Post by Scott P »

Ecocrazy wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 10:08 am Obviously aspects and other things matter, but in broad strokes is when that line hits zero about when summer conditions predominate? E.g. mid-late June last year, early-mid July in 2019?
No, but I guess it depends on what you mean by "summer conditions". Most (all?) of the SNOTEL stations are below timberline. When the line reaches zero, there can still be a fair amount of snow above timberline. SNOTEL's primary use is to predict the amount of runoff in the creeks and rivers. The still give a fairly good idea of what snow to expect at certain altitudes, but you have to know what you are looking at.
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